Best route is the NJ Turnpike and then listen to AM 1010 or 660 and listen to figure out which tunnel has the least traffic. Traffic will be heavy and it will take a bit of time, but there isn't much you can do about it.

If you are departing from the Sesame place area of the Philly suburbs, you may also consider taking I95 north to route 1 and then take route 1 north through NJ (passing through Trenton, Princeton, New Brunswick and Edison) and then hook up with the NJ turnpike via 287 or the Garden State parkway in northern NJ.

While route 1 has traffic lights, they are pretty well timed and unless the traffic is really bad, you can usually cruise along at a pretty good clip. You would avoid the shore tie-ups taking this route. I drive between Philly and northern NJ on a quasi-regular basis and frequently take this route as an alternative to the turnpike. Surprisingly enough, there is not a huge time difference between the two routes (if the turnpike isn't backed up).

You plan on leaving Sesame Place at 5pm. Dude change the res at the Waldorf to Monday. Seriously, that will be primetime, and not in a good way. Turnpike > Lincoln is your best shot, but listen to 1010 & 880. 660 is the sports station and doesn't have updates as often..

I'm sure dhammer offered you even more specifics.

Good Luck, I don''t now what would be worse Sesame Place on a Sunday or the traffic afterwards.

If you are departing from the Sesame place area of the Philly suburbs, you may also consider taking I95 north to route 1 and then take route 1 north through NJ (passing through Trenton, Princeton, New Brunswick and Edison) and then hook up with the NJ turnpike via 287 or the Garden State parkway in northern NJ.

While route 1 has traffic lights, they are pretty well timed and unless the traffic is really bad, you can usually cruise along at a pretty good clip. You would avoid the shore tie-ups taking this route. I drive between Philly and northern NJ on a quasi-regular basis and frequently take this route as an alternative to the turnpike. Surprisingly enough, there is not a huge time difference between the two routes (if the turnpike isn't backed up).

I second the motion, with one modification: Cut over from US 1 to the TP via NJ 18 South in New Brunwick.

I second the motion, with one modification: Cut over from US 1 to the TP via NJ 18 South in New Brunwick.

Thanks, that was the one segment I wasn't sure about since I usually continue north on the Garden State parkway (my final destination is West Orange NJ) and have never tried to reconnect with the turnpike.

I am planning on driving from Philly, actually, Sesame Place to Manhattan on Sunday July 6th at about 5:00 p.m.

I did a mapquest, and it's telling me it should take 1:30 minutes, but people tell me that the turnpike is going to be murder on a Holiday weekend.

I already have a reservation at the Waldorf, so spending the night close to Sesame place is not an option

What is the best route to take?

You have my sympathy. As others have stated, be prepared for the absolute worst. The alternative to the NJ Turnpike provided in other posts would be my recommendation, too. But make sure you hit the head before you get in your car. It could be a very long time before you get out of your car again.

Rt 1 isn't always a joy either. Here's an alternative. Take 95 in PA from Sesame Place and cross into NJ. A mile or so into NJ, 95 North becomes 295 South. Don't worry about that. Take the exit for 206 North. Yes, it's a country road but it's a state road and you might move more quickly than Rt 1 or even the Turnpike. Take 206 North and follow it until you get to Rt 287 North -- about 15 miles. Take 287 North to Rt 78 East. Then start listening to 880AM on the 8s, 1010AM on the 1s and 1130AM on the 5s for traffic reports. If there is a Yankee game while you're driving, forget the traffic reports on 880. There is also 101.5FM which has traffic at :03, :18, :33, and :48 after the hour.

From Sesame Place take
-Oxford Valley Rd North to
-Route 1 North
-Cross into NJ
-Take Rt 1 North to New Brunswick
-Exit onto Rt 18 South for about 3/4 mile to the entrance to NJ TPK
-Get on NJ TPK North to Lincoln Tunnel

This is by far the most direct and fastest route having driven this probably around 100 times or so. As it is Sunday you should be fine on Rte 1. Since it's a holiday weekend, you may have some traffic on the Turnpike and at the tunnel. Generally traffic above exit 9 moves well. I would take the truck lanes to minimize any traffic. There are very few trucks on Sundays.

From Sesame Place take
-Oxford Valley Rd North to
-Route 1 North
-Cross into NJ
-Take Rt 1 North to New Brunswick
-Exit onto Rt 18 South for about 3/4 mile to the entrance to NJ TPK
-Get on NJ TPK North to Lincoln Tunnel

This is by far the most direct and fastest route having driven this probably around 100 times or so. As it is Sunday you should be fine on Rte 1. Since it's a holiday weekend, you may have some traffic on the Turnpike and at the tunnel. Generally traffic above exit 9 moves well. I would take the truck lanes to minimize any traffic. There are very few trucks on Sundays.

NO, no, not 78! With the construction there now plus traffic, I advised a friend to do this route a few months ago and it took him HOURS.